-
Recent Articles
- Genealogical Syntax and the Grammar of Nations in Genesis 10:7
- Do Not Mourn as Others Do: Restraint and Reverence in the Aftermath of Fire
- The Blast and the Camp: Exploring Hebrew Commands and Movement in Numbers 10:5
- If You Refuse: The Threat of the Locusts in Translation
- Trumpet Blasts and Assembly Syntax in Numbers 10:3
- Right and Left: A Beginner’s Guide to Hebrew Word Order in Ecclesiastes 10:2
- A Call to Listen: A Beginner’s Guide to Hebrew Grammar in Jeremiah 10:1
- “Even If I Wash with Snow”: Job’s Cry of Purity and Futility in Hebrew
- Your People and Your Inheritance: Strength and Arm Between Hebrew and Greek
- Who is Abimelek? Political Defiance in Hebrew Speech
- May God Enlarge Japheth: Syntax, Blessing, and Subordination in Genesis 9:27
- The Plea of the Prophet: Syntax, Intercession, and Covenant Echoes in Deuteronomy 9:26
Categories
Archives
Category Archives: Septuagint Studies
Two Voices, One Mission: The Syntactic Unity of Aaron and Moshe in Hebrew and Greek
οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ διαλεγόμενοι πρὸς Φαραω βασιλέα Αἰγύπτου καὶ ἐξήγαγον τοὺς υἱοὺς Ισραηλ ἐξ Αἰγύπτου αὐτὸς Ααρων καὶ Μωυσῆς (Exodus 6:27 LXX)
הֵ֗ם הַֽמְדַבְּרִים֙ אֶל־פַּרְעֹ֣ה מֶֽלֶךְ־מִצְרַ֔יִם לְהֹוצִ֥יא אֶת־בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם ה֥וּא מֹשֶׁ֖ה וְאַהֲרֹֽן׃
Introductory Reflection
In this seemingly straightforward identification of Moshe and Aharon as divine agents before Parʿo, we discover a fascinating translation decision in the Septuagint. The Hebrew employs a compound nominal clause with participial and infinitive constructions, whereas the Greek reorganizes the structure using indicative verbs and coordination. This verse offers a window into how participial identity statements in Hebrew are rendered through more fluid narrative devices in Greek, with subtle shifts in agency and aspect.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Septuagint Studies
Tagged Exodus 6:27
Comments Off on Two Voices, One Mission: The Syntactic Unity of Aaron and Moshe in Hebrew and Greek
The Cloudy Day of YHWH: Temporal Markers and Prophetic Syntax in Ezekiel 30:3
כִּֽי־קָרֹ֣וב יֹ֔ום וְקָרֹ֥וב יֹ֖ום לַֽיהוָ֑ה יֹ֣ום עָנָ֔ן עֵ֥ת גֹּויִ֖ם יִֽהְיֶֽה׃
(Ezekiel 30:3)
For the day is near, the day of YHWH is near, a day of cloud; it shall be the time of the nations.
Ezekiel 30:3 comes within a prophetic oracle against Mitsrayim (Egypt), where YHWH speaks of an impending judgment not only upon Egypt but on all surrounding nations. This verse forms the crescendo of the opening movement of Ezekiel 30 and functions as a theologically charged proclamation of the Day of YHWH.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar, Septuagint Studies
Tagged Ezekiel 30:3
Comments Off on The Cloudy Day of YHWH: Temporal Markers and Prophetic Syntax in Ezekiel 30:3
Historical Phonetic Shifts: Changes that Affect Textual Variants
Phonological shifts in Biblical Hebrew weren’t just whispers lost to time—they redirected the way Scripture was written, read, and interpreted. As sounds merged, gutturals eroded, and vowel patterns transformed, scribes across traditions made subtle substitutions, some guided by dialectal accent, others by auditory memory. Variants between the Masoretic Text, Dead Sea Scrolls, and Septuagint often reveal this sonic undercurrent: whether it’s a missing consonant, expanded mater lectionis, or altered verb form, phonetic history shaped the sacred text’s orthographic evolution. Sound, quite literally, left its fingerprint on Scripture’s form and transmission.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Aramaic, Grammar, Septuagint Studies, Textual Criticism
Comments Off on Historical Phonetic Shifts: Changes that Affect Textual Variants
“Perpetual Order on the Sabbath”: Double Time and Eternal Covenant in Translation
τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῶν σαββάτων προθήσεται ἔναντι Κυρίου διὰ παντὸς ἐνώπιον τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ διαθήκην αἰώνιον (Leviticus 24:8 LXX)
בְּיֹ֨ום הַשַּׁבָּ֜ת בְּיֹ֣ום הַשַּׁבָּ֗ת יַֽעַרְכֶ֛נּוּ לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה תָּמִ֑יד מֵאֵ֥ת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּרִ֥ית עֹולָֽם׃
Repetition and Rhythm in the Hebrew Sanctuary
The Hebrew text of Leviticus 24:8 contains a rare and emphatic doubling: בְּיֹום הַשַּׁבָּ֜ת בְּיֹ֣ום הַשַּׁבָּ֗ת, “On the day of the Sabbath, on the day of the Sabbath.” This repetition serves to underscore sacred time and its cyclical holiness. The Septuagint, however, smooths this poetic doubling into a singular but pluralized expression: τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῶν σαββάτων, “on the day of the Sabbaths.”… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Septuagint Studies
Tagged Leviticus 24:8
Comments Off on “Perpetual Order on the Sabbath”: Double Time and Eternal Covenant in Translation
“Twelve Stones, One Covenant”: How the LXX Shapes Israel’s Tribal Unity
Καὶ ἔγραψεν Μωυσῆς πάντα τὰ ῥήματα Κυρίου ὀρθρίσας δὲ Μωυσῆς τὸ πρωὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν θυσιαστήριον ὑπὸ τὸ ὄρος καὶ δώδεκα λίθους εἰς τὰς δώδεκα φυλὰς τοῦ Ισραηλ (Exodus 24:4 LXX)
וַיִּכְתֹּ֣ב מֹשֶׁ֗ה אֵ֚ת כָּל־דִּבְרֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֣ם בַּבֹּ֔קֶר וַיִּ֥בֶן מִזְבֵּ֖חַ תַּ֣חַת הָהָ֑ר וּשְׁתֵּ֤ים עֶשְׂרֵה֙ מַצֵּבָ֔ה לִשְׁנֵ֥ים עָשָׂ֖ר שִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
Written Word and Ritual Structure
In Exodus 24:4, Moshe responds to divine revelation with action: he records the covenantal words, rises early, and constructs a sacred structure. The Hebrew presents this as a detailed narrative with sequential wayyiqtol verbs and construct chains.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Septuagint Studies
Tagged Exodus 24:4
Comments Off on “Twelve Stones, One Covenant”: How the LXX Shapes Israel’s Tribal Unity
“We Will Do and Hear”: Expansion and Emphasis in Israel’s Covenant Response
Εἰσῆλθεν δὲ Μωυσῆς καὶ διηγήσατο τῷ λαῷ πάντα τὰ ῥήματα τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ τὰ δικαιώματα ἀπεκρίθη δὲ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς φωνῇ μιᾷ λέγοντες πάντας τοὺς λόγους οὓς ἐλάλησεν Κύριος ποιήσομεν καὶ ἀκουσόμεθα (Exodus 24:3 LXX)
וַיָּבֹ֣א מֹשֶׁ֗ה וַיְסַפֵּ֤ר לָעָם֙ אֵ֚ת כָּל־דִּבְרֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה וְאֵ֖ת כָּל־הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֑ים וַיַּ֨עַן כָּל־הָעָ֜ם קֹ֤ול אֶחָד֙ וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ כָּל־הַדְּבָרִ֛ים אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה נַעֲשֶֽׂה׃
From Divine Speech to Human Response
In this foundational verse, Moshe delivers YHWH’s covenantal revelation to the people, and they respond with united obedience. The Greek Septuagint faithfully reflects the Hebrew structure while adding a striking expansion: the people say not only “we will do” but also “and we will hear” (ποιήσομεν καὶ ἀκουσόμεθα).… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Septuagint Studies, Textual Criticism, Theology
Tagged Exodus 24:3
Comments Off on “We Will Do and Hear”: Expansion and Emphasis in Israel’s Covenant Response
Stirring the Spirit of a King: Temporal Clauses, Infinitives, and Divine Causation in Ezra 1:1
וּבִשְׁנַ֣ת אַחַ֗ת לְכֹ֨ורֶשׁ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ פָּרַ֔ס לִכְלֹ֥ות דְּבַר־יְהוָ֖ה מִפִּ֣י יִרְמְיָ֑ה הֵעִ֣יר יְהוָ֗ה אֶת־ר֨וּחַ֙ כֹּ֣רֶשׁ מֶֽלֶךְ־פָּרַ֔ס וַיַּֽעֲבֶר־קֹול֙ בְּכָל־מַלְכוּתֹ֔ו וְגַם־בְּמִכְתָּ֖ב לֵאמֹֽר׃
(Ezra 1:1)
And in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of Yahweh by the mouth of Jeremiah, Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, and he caused a proclamation to pass throughout all his kingdom, and also in writing, saying:
Ezra 1:1 begins the historical account of Israel’s return from exile under the decree of King Koresh (Cyrus) of Persia.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar, Septuagint Studies, Theology
Tagged Ezra 1:1
Comments Off on Stirring the Spirit of a King: Temporal Clauses, Infinitives, and Divine Causation in Ezra 1:1
“Blessing the Cursed”: How the Septuagint Reframes Balak’s Complaint
Καὶ εἶπεν Βαλακ πρὸς Βαλααμ τί πεποίηκάς μοι εἰς κατάρασιν ἐχθρῶν μου κέκληκά σε καὶ ἰδοὺ εὐλόγηκας εὐλογίαν (Numbers 23:11 LXX)
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר בָּלָק֙ אֶל־בִּלְעָ֔ם מֶ֥ה עָשִׂ֖יתָ לִ֑י לָקֹ֤ב אֹיְבַי֙ לְקַחְתִּ֔יךָ וְהִנֵּ֖ה בֵּרַ֥כְתָּ בָרֵֽךְ׃
A Dialog of Disappointment: Structure and Surprise
The confrontation between Balak and Balaam is filled with dramatic irony. Balak hired Balaam to curse his enemies, yet blessing pours forth instead. The Hebrew constructs this speech with participles, infinitives, and rhetorical interjection. The Greek Septuagint, while mostly literal, introduces amplifying structures and aspectual precision that shift the emotional tone and rhetorical pacing of Balak’s complaint.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Septuagint Studies
Tagged Numbers 23:11
Comments Off on “Blessing the Cursed”: How the Septuagint Reframes Balak’s Complaint
“Take Off the Gold”: Gender, Syntax, and Directive Clarity in the Golden Calf Prelude
Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς Ααρων περιέλεσθε τὰ ἐνώτια τὰ χρυσᾶ τὰ ἐν τοῖς ὠσὶν τῶν γυναικῶν ὑμῶν καὶ θυγατέρων καὶ ἐνέγκατε πρός με (Exodus 32:2 LXX)
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵהֶם֙ אַהֲרֹ֔ן פָּֽרְקוּ֙ נִזְמֵ֣י הַזָּהָ֔ב אֲשֶׁר֙ בְּאָזְנֵ֣י נְשֵׁיכֶ֔ם בְּנֵיכֶ֖ם וּבְנֹתֵיכֶ֑ם וְהָבִ֖יאוּ אֵלָֽי׃
Commanding in Crisis
When the people clamor for visible leadership, Aharon responds with a precise directive: bring the gold. This verse is not only pivotal in the narrative of the golden calf, but also rich in grammatical structures that the Septuagint translates with notable syntactic clarity.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Septuagint Studies
Tagged Exodus 32:2
Comments Off on “Take Off the Gold”: Gender, Syntax, and Directive Clarity in the Golden Calf Prelude
Fire from My Anger: Divine Wrath and Total Destruction in Deuteronomy 32:22
כִּי־אֵשׁ֙ קָדְחָ֣ה בְאַפִּ֔י וַתִּיקַ֖ד עַד־שְׁאֹ֣ול תַּחְתִּ֑ית וַתֹּ֤אכַל אֶ֨רֶץ֙ וִֽיבֻלָ֔הּ וַתְּלַהֵ֖ט מֹוסְדֵ֥י הָרִֽים׃
(Deuteronomy 32:22)
For a fire has been kindled in my nose; it burns to the lowest Sheol, and it consumes the land and its produce, and it scorches the foundations of the mountains.”
Contextual Introduction
Deuteronomy 32:22 forms part of the Shirat Ha’azinu, the Song of Moshe, which is both a poetic prophecy and covenantal indictment against Israel’s disobedience. This verse vividly describes the fury of YHWH’s wrath using the imagery of fire.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar, Septuagint Studies
Tagged Deuteronomy 32:22
Comments Off on Fire from My Anger: Divine Wrath and Total Destruction in Deuteronomy 32:22